10 Best Deadpool Comics Featuring Cable

Deadpool and Cable’s partnership is one for the ages. As Deadpool 2 did a decent job portraying, Wade Wilson’s off-the-wall antics and Nathan Summers’ no-nonsense military precision make them quite the affable odd-couple. While their depiction in the popular film franchise brought their dynamic before new audiences, their lineage as a duo in comic books is a long, storied one worth examining.

With a rich history of arcs expertly executing their unpredictable chemistry and providing action-packed adventures, the unlikely pair has no shortage of must-reads. Whether they’re saving the world or just trying to survive each other, these comics showcase why Deadpool and Cable are one of Marvel’s most iconic pairings.

10 Cable & Deadpool: If Looks Could Kill

If not, Deadpool and Cable would most certainly do the killing instead

If Looks Could Kill introduced readers to an official title dedicated to Cable and Deadpool’s chaotic yet compelling partnership. When a powerful virus inexplicably turned people blue (yes, really), it spread wildly, forcing the two antiheroes to work together. The banter that followed was razor-sharp, and the action was nonstop, setting the tone for their future escapades.

The story set a precedent for Deadpool and Cable’s trademark cocktail of humor and drama, with Deadpool’s irreverence perfectly counterbalancing Cable’s stern demeanor. Fabian Nicieza’s writing and Mark Brooks’ art captured the essence of both characters, making this a must-read for fans. This story laid the groundwork for their complicated relationship, filled with mutual annoyance and reluctant respect.

9 Cable & Deadpool: The Burnt Offering

A quality comic book offering

In The Burnt Offering, which picked up where If Looks Could Kill left off, Cable had grand plans to save the world by becoming its benevolent dictator, much to Deadpool’s chagrin. This storyline, crafted by Nicieza with artwork by Patrick Zircher, delved into Cable’s messianic complex and his vision for a utopian future. Deadpool, of course, was more interested in cracking jokes and causing mayhem, leading to a clash of ideals.

Set during the early days of the House of M event, the story, while not shy of serious themes, offered plenty of levity throughout thanks to Deadpool’s signature humor, making it an engaging and balanced read. Notably, Deadpool tried to strong-arm his way into the X-Men roster, much to every team member’s chagrin. The dynamic between the two characters was electric as they navigated their conflicting goals. Zircher’s artwork complemented Nicieza’s writing, which, in this second volume of their trailblazing run, was really firing on all cylinders.

8 Cable & Deadpool: Split Second

A trip down mutant memory lane

Split Second (2015) reunited the now-revered and foundational duo of Fabian Nicieza and Reilly Brown. In a miniseries in which time-travel shenanigans force Deadpool and Cable to revisit their past, Split Second is a fun foray into the characters’ shared and separate histories. The plot involves a time anomaly that threatens the future, leading the two on-again-off-again allies to fix pivotal moments from their past.

This storyline delves into their complex history, featuring nostalgic callbacks to previous adventures. It’s also a particularly humorous entry into Deadpool and Cable’s shared canon, with Cable setting out to prevent Deadpool from murdering someone who invents a time machine. Having the grizzled Summers son antagonistically chase the Merc With a Mouth down, only for them to take a trip down memory lane side by side, provided a fun sandbox for the two characters to play in. Another perk is the introduction of Split Second, the titular villain of the arc, who made for an intriguing new baddie.

7 Cable & Deadpool: Civil War Tie-Ins

The political conflict is a petri dish for the two mutants’ differing ideologies

During the Civil War (2006) storyline, Cable and Deadpool’s experiences were explored in a tie-in title that further fleshed out the superhero registration conflict’s impact on the super-powered community. This tie-in, written by Fabian Nicieza and illustrated by Jorge Jimenez, delved into the characters’ reactions to the registration and explored the ideological battle between pro-registration and anti-registration heroes, with Deadpool — pro-registration — coming to blows against the Great Lakes Avengers.

The tie-in not only effectively captured the tension and action of the broader event while focusing on the duo’s unique responses to the crisis, but it also, like many Civil War tie-ins at the time, offered glimpses at out-of-the-box battles, like Deadpool vs. Squirrel Girl, for example. Interestingly, despite Deadpool’s anarchical approach and Cable’s stoicism and military background, the two didn’t see eye-to-eye on registration, either. It creates gripping drama and helps build a more holistic Civil War experience.

6 “Bosom Buddies”

A Rollercoaster of Misadventures

When Bosom Buddies hit shelves in 2008, Cable was rapidly aging due to the state of his Techno-organic virus. Deadpool was a deadbeat, unemployed for far too long — not an ideal scenario for a mercenary. Deadpool, eager to take on a new gig, gets tangled in a high-stakes mission involving the BAD Girls—Black Mamba, Asp, and Diamondback.

Their mission quickly escalated into a showdown with Luke Cage and Iron Fist — Heroes for Hire, in a dash of cruel irony — pushing Deadpool to team up with his old ally, Cable, who waded into the fray to help manage the escalating chaos.

5 “Two Mutants and a Baby”

Deadpool and Cable make for the perfect unlikely co-parents

When it comes to standout Deadpool and Cable crossovers, Deadpool & Cable #25: “Two Mutants and a Baby” is 100% worth checking out. In this 2010 issue, the duo found themselves on a high-stakes mission to protect a young mutant baby from dangerous enemies.

Featuring an archetypical albeit hilariously awkward parenting subplot, Deadpool’s relentless wisecracks and Cable’s gruff pragmatism create memorable moments of tension and comedy. The comic was notable for its inventive take on the “babysitting” trope. It was complete with a dynamic battle sequence and a touching moment where Cable and Deadpool’s unlikely partnership shone through, adding depth to their relationship and proving their chemistry as an unbeatable team.

4 Deadpool vs. Cable

The two clash in all their ’90s glory

In Deadpool #22, Cable and Deadpool’s tumultuous early days are distilled into a single issue, making it a solid read for anyone looking for a story emblematic of their initial relationship. A violent clash between the two characters, driven by Deadpool’s increasingly erratic behavior, sparks Cable’s investigation of Deadpool’s suspicious conduct around X-Force’s Siryn.

This specific encounter poignantly showcases the intense hostility that characterized their early interactions. The battle in this issue is a pivotal moment that lays the foundation for their future transformation from adversaries to a more nuanced and mutually supportive partnership. It vividly captures the embattled origins of their relationship long before it evolves from conflict to cooperation.

3 Deadpool vs. The Marvel Universe

Without Cable by Deadpool’s side, nobody is safe

In the riveting finale of Fabian Nicieza’s Cable & Deadpool run, “Deadpool vs. The Marvel Universe” erupted with visceral intensity, marking a fittingly violent tribute to Cable, who had recently met his demise. Even though Cable was absent from the issue, his influence loomed large as Deadpool, fueled by grief and anger, launched into a manic assault on the Marvel Universe’s elite. His vendetta was more than a spectacle—it was a raw outpouring of the chaos and sorrow left in the wake of his partner’s death.

Deadpool’s rampage was a cacophony of explosive clashes and biting commentary, each skirmish reflecting his shattered psyche. The narrative crackled with a blend of frenetic energy and dark humor, painting a vivid portrait of a hero unraveling in the face of loss.

2 Cable & X-Force: Messiah War

Deadpool joins in on a Cable-centric story

In Messiah War, the future of mutant-kind teetered on the brink, with Hope Summers targeted by deadly foes. Spanning X-Force #14-17 and Cable #13-15, one of the best Deadpool crossovers saw Cable taking on Stryfe, who wanted to capture Hope and twist mutant history. Enter Deadpool, now a near-1000-year-old relic of a past gone wrong, recruited by Cable for his unorthodox skills.

Deadpool’s ancient yet irreverent antics added a unique twist to the mission and his pantheon of iterations and variants. As Cable fought to safeguard Hope, Deadpool’s bizarre and road-weary presence was a surprising asset.

A deep, dark global conspiracy revealed

The Enema of the State storyline explored the lengths Wade Wilson will go to find his lost-in-time frenemy. Following the reality-altering events of House of M, where Wanda Maximoff erases mutant-kind, the Marvel Comics Universe was in disarray. This disruption serves as a backdrop for Enema, where Deadpool finds himself embroiled in a scheme involving a hunt for a “cure” for his mutant makeup, which is revealed to be part of a sinister plot, ultimately getting him brainwashed.

After Deadpool gets brainwashed, the merc is tasked with killing Cable. Jaunting from timeline to timeline with Cannonball and others alongside him, Deadpool eventually finds himself in the Wanda Maximoff-altered mutant reality, where chaos ensues, as is the Deadpool way. This story is not only a quality Deadpool and Cable entry thanks to its trademark sardonic humor, but it is crucial for the canonicity of their relationship, with crucial ret-cons reshaping their dynamic as readers understood it at the time.